Three former Michigan Wolverines players were selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night [1, 2].

The draft results highlight the impact of former Michigan head coach Dusty May, who now leads the Dallas Mavericks. The transition of multiple players from a single college program into the first round suggests professional readiness and talent development under May's tenure.

Morez Johnson Jr. was selected ninth overall [1]. The pick reunited Johnson Jr. with May, who drafted the player for the Mavericks [1]. This reunion marks a moment for both the coach and the player as they transition from the collegiate level to the professional stage in Dallas.

Other Michigan teammates also saw first-round success. Aday Mara was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder [3]. The pick prompted a reaction from May, reflecting the emotional connection between the coach and his former athletes [3].

Yaxel Lendeborg was the third Michigan player to be taken in the first round [1]. While some projections in April had listed the trio as potential first-round picks, the actual draft results confirmed that all three met that threshold [1, 4].

The collective success of Johnson Jr., Mara, and Lendeborg represents a night for the Wolverines program [1]. It establishes a pipeline from the university to the NBA's elite tier of prospects.

“Three Michigan players were selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft”

The selection of three players from one program in a single first round is a rare occurrence that elevates the national profile of the Michigan Wolverines. For Dusty May, the ability to draft his own former player into the NBA underscores his influence and provides him with a known commodity in Dallas, potentially accelerating the integration of new talent into the Mavericks' system.